Leukotrienes (LTs) are involved in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis and were increased in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) of the patients with pneumoconiosis. However the possible influence of extra-pulmonary disorders on the EBC markers is not known. Therefore in parallel with EBC, LTs' levels in the plasma and urine were measured in patients with pneumoconiosis (45 × asbestos exposure, 37 × ...

Projections have been made of the number of mesotheliomas, lung cancers, and cases of asbestosis that might occur over the period 1987 to 2020 in former workers at the Wittenoom crocidolite asbestos mine in Western Australia. Predictions were based on the observed mortality to the end of 1986 and modelling of the mesothelioma rate. Elimination of crocidolite from the lungs was included in the m...

YKL-40 is a chitinase-like glycoprotein produced by alternatively activated macrophages that are associated with wound healing and fibrosis. Asbestosis is a chronic asbestos-induced lung disease, in which injury of epithelial cells and activation of alveolar macrophages lead to enhanced collagen production and fibrosis. We studied if YKL-40 is related to inflammation, fibrosis, and/or lung func...

There are a number of medical effects of asbestos with different locations (see figure 1) which will be discussed in more detail below. (1) Benign conditions of the pleura, and in particular pleural plaques. (2) Asbestosis. Observed as early as 1906 by Auribault it was defined as fibrosis of the lung caused by asbestos dust, and first called asbestos silicosis. It was only defined as a separate...

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Most studies on asbestos-related diseases are based on chest radiographs, and dose-response relationships are still controversial. The aim of this study was to describe the most relevant parameters of asbestos exposure linked to pleural plaques and asbestosis diagnosed by high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). A large screening programme including systematic HRCT examinations was organised...

Asbestos fibers are known to cause lung fibrosis, but their role in emphysema is unclear. We wanted to evaluate the relationship between asbestos exposure and emphysema by using high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT). Conventional and high resolution CT was performed on 600 smoking construction workers with an asbestos-related occupational disease. Emphysema subtypes (centrilobular, parasep...

The quantitative extraction of asbestos fibres from asbestotic lung by alkali digestion has been refined by maceration of the tissue without prior drying, the minimum use of centrifugation, and the adoption of phase contrast microscopy. Preliminary experiments suggested that, using this technique, asbestos fibre counts were accurate to within at least +/- 20% and in most instances to within +/-...

Carcinogenicity of asbestos has been well established for decades and it has similar approval standards in most advanced countries based on a number of studies and international meetings. However, Korea has been lagging behind such international standards. In this study, we proposed the approval standards of an occupational cancer due to asbestos through intensive review on the Helsinki Criteri...

The inhalation of asbestos fibers may lead to a number of respiratory diseases, including lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaques, benign pleural effusion, and malignant mesothelioma. Although exposure is now regulated, patients continue to present with these diseases because of the long latent period between exposure and clinical disease. Presenting signs and symptoms tend to be nonspecific; ...